Caves/Lava Tubes

[HADave]

After doing some looking around for info on cave depths I came across lots of incredible info and I thought I would post it. Please enjoy...

http://www.goodearthgraphics.com/virtual...rtube.html

http://www.caves.org/pub/journal/PDF/V65...Werner.pdf

http://www.caves.org/pub/journal/PDF/V59...Allred.pdf

http://www.caves.org/pub/journal/PDF/V65...lliday.pdf

http://www.showcaves.com/english/usa/cav...umura.html

Aloha HADave

[malolo]

Thanks for the links, Dave!

Experiencing the lesser known (truly amazing) lava tubes on the island, is indeed a treat.

You can walk perfectly upright for long long stretches and never even stub your toe on a rock. Smoother than my living room floor.

(...and then all of sudden of course, just as you're getting overly-confident, there'll be the huge pile-up of rocks, presumably shaken loose from the ceiling during an earthquake. Looking straight up toward the ceiling at that point will often reveal an "intersection" of sorts: another whole lava tube heading off at a completely different angle. And then, half a mile or so farther along you may very well run into a "skylight." Where the movin' and the shakin' caused the ceiling to collapse completely. Blue sky, vegetation, and an opportunity to either scramble out...or continue on your way. Cool cool cool in the extreme!)

One thing folks need to keep in mind though (in addition to the potential dangers) is the fact that the more time one spends underground, the greater the chance of encountering ancient artifacts and/or burials, yah? Under no circumstances should they ever be disturbed.

If you discover a burial site: stop activity in the immediate area; leave remains in place; contact the State Department of Land and Natural Resources, Historic Preservation Division and your County Police Department. Reporting a burial site disturbance is required by law (Hawai'i Revised Statutes, Chapter 6E) and severe penalties could result when SHPD is not notified of such disturbance.

Here's a link to the State Historic Preservation Division (complete with phone numbers):

http://www.hawaii.gov/dlnr/hpd/hpcontact.htm

And here's a just-plain-lovely site. I get all misty-eyed just reading the text...the video's gotta be killer.
Na Iwi Kupuna: The Bones of our Ancestors

http://www.hawaii.gov/dlnr/hpd/naiwikupuna.htm

~~~~~~~~

Edited by - malolo on 10/02/2006 15:13:59

[KeithLee]

Funny you started this thread...

A few friends and I did the Lava Falls tour at Kazumura Cave 2 weekends ago.

Only $10 each for the 2 hour tour.

The tour does require climbing down some ladders until you are maybe 50 ft below ground.

The guide is very conscious of the fragile nature of the cave and will not hesitate to correct you if you touch the walls or don't watch your step. Guidelines are really easy to follow but we do so many things without realizing.

Tour guides name is slipping my mind but we talked him in to going on a hike in the park with us in a few weeks. I just have to follow up on it.

This is money well spent and an education on the very foundation of this island. LAVA.

Do it!

"I'll take the path of least resistance...thanks anyway."

[HADave]

Tony, do you recall if they allowed large lighting? I'd love to explore and learn more of these unique environments but suffer from night blindness (nasty glaucoma) The thurston lava tube was a bit of a struggle and we even tried stepping into the darkness beyond the exit stairs,where the tube continues on, with our small 2 cell mag lights but it wasn't enough, even 10 feet in was scary when you can't see and the floor is so irregular. If not for the light of the exit disorientation would have made for an easy panic situation. non-the-less it was exciting. Thanks for sharing your story

Aloha HADave

[KeithLee]

Hi HADave-
We just used regular flash lights. You may want to ask them about using a different type of lighting. Not sure if that would impact the enviroment or not. Very fragile.
I don't have a real concept of having a panic attack in a lava tube but I would think that it would be a bit freaky if you suffered from anything like that.
The ladders down are basically large pvc pipe with rebar embedded on each side.
The ladder alone is a little iffy and requires your attention when climbing down.
Give them a call. He told me they don't own a computer.

"I'll take the path of least resistance...thanks anyway."

[bystander]

I think the guide's name is Harry or that could be his father, the old guy.

[Tahunatics]

Here's some info on lava tubes in Orchidland Estates with a photo of a D9 crashing through a lava tube!

http://www.orchidland.org/about_faqs.php#tubes

[Cindy Blankenship]

I don't know if I'm replying in the correct place since this thread is from last year but here goes..Akoni wrote about the Lava Falls Tour at Kazumuru Cave. Does anyone have a contact number for this?
Also, my son and I hiked the lave tube next to Thurston and are looking for something a bit more challenging (well he is anyway) and with more to see, bigger that. Sounds like the guy you mentioned gives a hoot about the environment :-)

Well, if you all get this...
Mahalo!

Cindy

[Cindy Blankenship]

P.S. Is this the one?
http://www.fortunecity.com/oasis/angkor/176/
And it gives a Volcano phone number.


Thanks!

Cindy

http://www.CoconutRoads.com

[pslamont]

If there is enough interest.... we have a large lava tube on our property that bears exploration. It has only been minimally explored so would take a real conscientious effort to do more. So far I am told by the friend who explored it that they made 200 ft up the hill and 100 ft down the hill, that you can stand up in most of it, that some areas are caverns .... only bones found were from a goat.

Anyway, maybe we can have a lave tube exploration party if people are interested... hard hats, boots and lights required.

Pam Lamont

Just another day in P A R A D I S E !!